WAEC Geography 2023 past questions

Checked by the Skolra question team · Last updated 23 October 2026

Ten questions from the 2023 WAEC Geography paper, with answers and explanations. We hold 55 questions from this paper, and the Skolra app has all of them.

WAEC Geography 2023 questions and answers

1. 1.

   What is the population density of a country with a total population of 140,000,000 and a total land area of 500,000 km2?

   1. A
      280 persons per km²
      Correct
   2. B
      350 persons per km²
   3. C
      140 persons per km²
   4. D
      200 persons per km²
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: A

   Population density is calculated by dividing the total population by the total land area: 140,000,000 ÷ 500,000 km² = 280 persons per km². This figure represents the arithmetic population density, which gives the average number of people living per unit area. It is a useful measure for comparing how densely or sparsely populated different countries or regions are.

2. 2.

   When weathering occurs on hillslopes, rock debris usually pile up at the bottom of the hill slope to form

   1. A
      Delta
   2. B
      Alluvial fan
   3. C
      Scree
      Correct
   4. D
      Moraine
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   Answer: C

   When physical (mechanical) weathering such as freeze-thaw action breaks rocks on hillslopes, the angular rock fragments fall and accumulate at the base of the slope to form a scree, also called talus. Screes form characteristic steep, cone-shaped deposits of loose rock debris at the foot of cliffs and steep hillsides. Moraines are glacial deposits, alluvial fans are water-deposited features, and deltas form at river mouths.

3. 3.

   Volcanoes that have not erupted for a very long time but may erupt at future time are termed as

   1. A
      Extinct
   2. B
      Active
   3. C
      Dormant
      Correct
   4. D
      Composite
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: C

   Volcanoes are classified into three types based on their activity: active volcanoes erupt frequently or continuously; dormant volcanoes have not erupted for a very long time but still retain the potential to erupt in the future; and extinct volcanoes are those that have permanently ceased activity and are considered unlikely ever to erupt again. Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is an example of a dormant volcano.

4. 4.

   a. Describe rail transportation in Tropical Africa under the following headings:
   four advantages;

   b. Describe rail transportation in Tropical Africa under the following headings:
   three problems affecting rail transportation,
   
   c. Describe rail transportation in Tropical Africa under the following headings:
   one solution to each of the problems stated in 3(b).

   1. A
      Rail transportation has largely replaced road transport in most parts of Tropical Africa
   2. B
      Rail networks in Tropical Africa are well-interconnected across national borders
   3. C
      Rail transportation in Tropical Africa is modern, efficient and well-maintained
   4. D
      A major problem of rail transportation in Tropical Africa is inadequate capital for construction and maintenance
      Correct
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: D

   Rail transportation in Tropical Africa faces significant problems including outdated infrastructure inherited from the colonial era, lack of finance for maintenance and expansion, and the fact that most rail lines were built to link the interior to coastal ports rather than to connect countries to each other. Advantages include the ability to carry heavy and bulky goods over long distances at relatively low cost. Solutions include seeking international funding, privatisation, and regional integration agreements to upgrade and extend rail networks.

5. 5.

   Town C is located on latitude 15oE while Town D is located on latitude 60oE. If the local time in Town C is 7.00am., what will be the local time in Town D?

   1. A
      4:00am
   2. B
      7:00am
   3. C
      1:00pm
   4. D
      10:00am
      Correct
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: D

   The difference in longitude between Town C (15°E) and Town D (60°E) is 60° − 15° = 45°. Since the Earth rotates 360° in 24 hours, every 1° of longitude equals 4 minutes of time. The time difference is therefore 45 × 4 = 180 minutes = 3 hours. Because Town D is east of Town C, it is 3 hours ahead; so if it is 7:00am in Town C, it is 7:00am + 3 hours = 10:00am in Town D.

6. 6.

   The sparse population in the middle belt of West Africa can be traced to all the following except

   1. A
      Fertile and highly productive soils that attract dense agricultural populations
      Correct
   2. B
      Prevalence of tsetse fly causing sleeping sickness in humans and animals
   3. C
      Presence of infertile and leached soils discouraging permanent settlement
   4. D
      History of intense slave raiding that caused people to flee the region
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: A

   The middle belt of West Africa is sparsely populated primarily because of the prevalence of tsetse flies (which transmit sleeping sickness to humans and nagana to livestock), a long history of slave raiding by powerful neighbouring states that forced communities to disperse or abandon the area, and the presence of generally poor, leached soils. Fertile soils would attract rather than repel population, making option A the exception — it describes a condition associated with dense settlement, not sparse settlement.

7. 7.

   The feature marked P in the mapped area can best be described as a

   1. A
      Knoll
   2. B
      Valley
   3. C
      Ridge
      Correct
   4. D
      Spur
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: C

   A ridge is an elongated, narrow crest of high ground running between two areas of lower elevation. On a topographic map, a ridge is identified by contour lines that form a series of V or U shapes pointing towards lower ground on both sides, with the highest contour at the centre. Ridges are common features on maps of hilly terrain such as the Ebonyi State area shown on the WAEC topographic map where feature P is marked.

8. 8.

   An isotherm is a line drawn on a map joining places of equal

   1. A
      Temperature
      Correct
   2. B
      Rainfall
   3. C
      Atmospheric pressure
   4. D
      Humidity
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: A

   An isotherm is a line drawn on a climatic or weather map connecting all points that have the same temperature at a given time or over a specified period. The word isotherm derives from the Greek words for 'equal' and 'heat.' Similarly, isobars connect points of equal pressure, isohyets connect points of equal rainfall, and isobaths connect points of equal water depth.

9. 9.

   a. Identify five problems affecting industrial growth in developing countries.
   
   b. Suggest five measures that can promote the growth of industries in developing countries.

   1. A
      Developing countries have abundant capital readily available for industrial expansion
   2. B
      Lack of capital and technology is a major problem affecting industrial growth in developing countries
      Correct
   3. C
      Skilled labour and managerial expertise are always readily available in developing countries
   4. D
      Developing countries have well-established industrial infrastructure to support growth
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: B

   Industrial growth in developing countries is hampered by a combination of factors including lack of capital and finance, inadequate technology, shortage of skilled labour, poor infrastructure such as roads and power supply, and over-dependence on foreign investment. Measures to promote industrial growth include attracting foreign direct investment, investing in technical education, providing government incentives to manufacturers, and developing reliable power and transport infrastructure.

10. 10.

    A smaller range of temperature is recorded along the coast than the continental interior on the same latitudes because of the

    1. A
       Dense forest cover that reduces temperature extremes along the coast
    2. B
       Higher annual rainfall recorded in coastal areas
    3. C
       Higher altitude of coastal areas compared to the interior
    4. D
       Moderating influence of the sea on coastal temperatures
       Correct
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer: D

    Coastal areas experience a smaller annual range of temperature than continental interiors at the same latitude because of the moderating influence of the sea. Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it heats up and cools down more slowly than land. This stabilises temperatures in coastal areas, preventing the extreme highs in summer and extreme lows in winter that characterise continental interiors far from the ocean's influence.

The questions come from past JAMB, WAEC and NECO papers. We use software to help write the answer options and explanations, and every answer is checked twice before it goes on the site. How we check

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